Ask Dr. Norm: Mixed breed or pure?

Friday

Feb 7, 2014 at 3:01 PMFeb 7, 2014 at 3:01 PM

By Dr. Norm StillmanMore Content Now

Dear Dr. Stillman, Is it better to get a purebred pet or a mixed breed one? — Claudine G.Dear Claudine, that’s an interesting and very common question. I’m glad you asked it. Let’s begin by defining our terms. When we refer to a purebred dog or cat we’re implying that the pet is a representative of a certain breed, such as the Cocker Spaniel dog, or the Siamese cat. This means that the pet’s parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. were also representatives of the same breed. We’re also saying that this breed is recognized by some governing organization or club and is not just an interesting group of dogs or cats that someone has decided to apply a name to. German Shepherds, for example, are a breed recognized by the American Kennel Club, and their breed standards (how they’re supposed to look, act, move, etc.) are determined by the German Shepherd Dog Club of America.When we label an animal a “mixed breed” we’re implying that the pet is not a member of one particular breed. Some mixed breeds are the offspring of two purebred parents and many mixed breeds are the offspring of two mixed-breed parents.There is no inherent value of a purebred animal as opposed to a mixed-breed one. They are all wonderful in their own special way and each has their own intrinsic worth. The reason to get a purebred animal has everything to do with predictability. Saying that an animal is a member of a particular breed tells you a lot about its defining characteristics. Will he be big or small as an adult? Will he shed? Will he be receptive to training? Will he be good with kids? Will he be predisposed to certain genetic conditions or illnesses? What color will he be? How long will he live? Questions like this are much easier to answer for purebred animals.Mixed-breed animals are more of a mystery. When presented with a baby mixed-breed dog or cat it’s difficult to know how he’ll turn out. His size, tendency to shed, personality, health and many other important factors are not as easily discernable. You just have to wait for whatever pleasant surprises are coming your way.Predictability is the only reason to get a purebred. You get to choose the appearance, temperament and even health of your pet. The purebred advantage is having a better chance of knowing what you’re getting from the start. Keep in mind that these are not hard-and-fast rules. I know a few cranky Golden Retrievers and quite a few lovely Rottweilers. I know some Yorkies approaching 20 pounds and some Mastiffs who are only 80 pounds. I know some Siamese cats that are not nearly as social as they’re expected to be and some Sphynx (hairless) cats with quite a bit of hair.There are advantages to mixed-breed pets also. Mixed-breed animals exhibit a trait we call “hybrid vigor.” Defined as “the increased vigor or general health, resistance to disease and other superior qualities that are often manifested in hybrid organisms” (Random House Dictionary, Random House Inc. 2013), this trait leads to pets with fewer genetic diseases or congenital abnormalities. Additionally, mixed-breed animals give us the thrill of discovering them as they mature. Their unpredictability is part of the fun of watching them become adults and develop their own individual personalities and physical traits.Overall, I think you can’t go wrong. Each pet has its own wonderful characteristics, and as their caregiver your influence plays a much greater role in their development than their breed-related tendencies. You can make a healthy breed sick by letting him get too fat, and you can make a sweet tempered breed cranky by not socializing him properly. I’m sure that whatever pet you get will grow into exactly the pet you wanted him or her to be.Dr. Norm Stillman is a veterinarian at the Court Street Animal Hospital in Plymouth, Mass. He can be reached by phone at 508-747-0774 or by email at courtstreetvet@verizon.net.